Ten Minutes

It's the 20th year anniversary of the final "McD" Pennsbury Chamber Choir Concert. Pennsbury High School is a top notch school district that provides excellent programs in the Humanities. One of the founding leaders of the music program, John McDonnell, conducted his final Chamber Choir, May 25th 2000. At the time, the Pennsbury chamber choir limited itself to 24 roster spots (correct me if I'm wrong alums), to be eligible as a member one had to be a junior or senior and the school's upperclassmen population in 2000 give or take was roughly 1600 students. The audition process, workload, and performance schedule were intense. The program continues to soar to new heights under James Moyer's guidance and direction, and I consider myself doubly fortunate to be present and participate in the end and beginning of a new era for Pennsbury High's music program.

Pennsbury High School 2000

Battle Of Jericho

Pennsbury High's Chamber Choir's May 25th live performance. Final Pennsbury High Chamber Choir concert for conductor, teacher, and choral music program founder, John McDonnell. This is a favorite of mine.

O Magnum Mysterium

A surprise entry to the musical program on the night of May 25th, this rendition of Irish Blessing, composed and conducted by Michael Robison, a graduating member of the Chamber Choir, served as an emotional send-off to John McDonnell prior to the last song performed by the group The Battle of Jericho. The Chamber Choir practiced this song during spare time "in secret", to affect the surprise.

Irish Blessing

Live Performance, May 2000, solo by Jeremy Rea back by the Pennsbury Chamber Choir. Fun fact, Jeremy played Tulsa in Pennsbury High's production of Gypsy.

Live Performance, May 2000, soloists are Aidan McDonnell, and Matt Ward. Fun fact: At PHS, Matt Ward embodied the expression "renaissance man" when it came to extracurriculars and the arts. I get tired thinking about all of Matt's contributions to the high school culture in the late 90's.  Aidan McDonnell rendition of "Buddy Beware" from the musical Anything Goes in my mind still serves as the standard of performance for actors portraying Irma.

Black Sheep

There Is No Rose

Live from Trinity Cathedral, May 2000. This track slaps. Soloists are Elizabeth Kimmelman, Ashley Fedor, Jeremy Rea, and Michael Robison.
Fun Fact: Elizabeth, Ashley, and Jeremy played the ingenue leads in Pennsbury High's 2000 production of Gypsy. Michael composed and conducted Irish Blessing, which was given a surprise performance later on in the evening's program.

Tim Carmello